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What happened?

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "A lorry was in collision with a pedestrian just before 4.40am today. Other vehicles are believed to have struck the pedestrian following this initial collision."

An initial statement from Avon and Somerset Constabulary just after 6.15am said: "The M5 is closed northbound in South Gloucestershire between J16 and 14 while we deal with a fatal collision involving a pedestrian.

If you are travelling from Somerset towards London, you should consider using the A303 instead of the M5 and M4.

People are also being asked to follow official diversion signs and not to divert emergency services from their work around the scene.

How bad is the traffic?

Traffic has been queueing back from J16, past J16 (the turn off for Cribbs Causeway and The Mall shopping centre) towards J18. It also looks like there is traffic stuck on the M5 northbound north of J16 and even north of J15.

(Image: Travel Somerset)

There are also delays on the lengthy diversion route along the A38 and on local roads around the north and west of Bristol.

How long will the road be closed?

The road re-opened shortly after 11am. Highways England asked people who had left their vehicles to return to them so traffic could be cleared.

Police thanked motorists for the patience.

A statement from police said: "We know how disruptive this has been, so thank you for your patience.

"Our investigation into this collision will continue and our priority will be to identify the victim and ensure his next of kin are informed and supported."

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Why was the road closed for six hours?

A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset police said earlier it would probably take until the afternoon for the police to finish their investigations at the scene and for the road to re-open.

A statement added: "We're carrying out an investigation at the scene and are working with Highways England to ensure all measures are in place to recover vehicles and clear the scene as quickly as possible.

"We understand the closure is causing disruption to those travelling on the M5 and M4 and surrounding routes - and would strongly encourage motorists to avoid the area or follow official diversions."